ADSORBENT CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY WITH END CAP

1 - 45 . (canceled)

46 . An integrated, self-supporting adsorbent cartridge assembly for removing gaseous contaminants, comprising:

(a) an adsorbent cartridge, comprising an adsorbent sheet wound into a roll, wherein the adsorbent sheet is formed from a mixture comprising a polymer and an adsorbent, wherein the sheet is spaced to form multiple layers by ribs protruding from the sheet and molded directly out of the adsorbent sheet, wherein said sheet wound into a roll comprises a first open end face, a second open end face, and an outer portion; wherein:

the adsorbent comprises calcium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, molecular sieves, or mixtures thereof;

the adsorbent cartridge does not comprise a rigid outer housing;

the open end faces are at opposite ends of the cartridge;

said layers are disposed orthogonally with respect to the open end faces; and

said layers are mechanically spaced so as to allow gas flow between said layers; and

(b) an end cap secured around said first open end face, wherein said end cap allows gas flow through said first open end face, comprising:

an outer sleeve circumscribing the outer portion of one end of the cartridge adjacent to said first open face; wherein said outer sleeve has a portion protruding beyond said one end of the cartridge; and the protruding portion comprises an inner surface;

wherein the assembly has mechanical integrity during transportation and installation.

47 . The assembly of claim 46 , wherein said outer sleeve further comprises one or more supporting members extending from the inner surface of the protruding portion of the outer sleeve and protruding at least partially over the first open end face.

48 . The assembly of claim 46 , wherein the one or more supporting members is a single member circumscribing the inner surface of the protruding portion of the outer sleeve.

49 . The assembly of claim 46 , wherein said plurality of radial ribs are arranged substantially equidistant from each other.

50 . The assembly of claim 46 , wherein the end cap is secured to said first open end face by any method chosen from the group of: ultrasonic welding, shrink-wrapping, adhesives, and molding.

51 . The assembly of claim 46 , wherein the end cap is secured to the first open end face by a shrink wrap covering the outer portion of the cartridge and at least a portion of the outer sleeve.

52 . The assembly of claim 46 , wherein the end cap is made from materials capable of absorbing shocks and/or contains flexible material suitable for making sealing attachment of the end cap to the cartridge.

53 . The assembly of claim 46 , wherein the adsorbent is molecular sieves.

54 . The assembly of claim 46 , wherein the polymer is ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

55 . The assembly of claim 46 , further comprising a second end cap secured around the second open end face, comprising:

an outer sleeve circumscribing the outer portion of an end of the cartridge adjacent to said second open face; wherein said outer sleeve has a portion protruding beyond the end of the cartridge adjacent to said second open face; and the protruding portion comprises an inner surface.

56 . The assembly of claim 46 , wherein the cartridge assembly is suitable for medical applications.